Download Theater Studies Chemical Disposal Guidelines

1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1200
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
(404) 727-5922
FAX: (404) 727-9778
THEATER STUDIES CHEMICAL DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
REGULATED CHEMICAL WASTE
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and GA Environmental Protection Division
(EPD) regulate and monitor the disposal of certain chemicals through the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act of 1976 and the Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Act. As such, Emory is
subject to random and unannounced inspections by these agencies. Repercussions of violations
include public written notification and could include monetary fines. Additionally, some chemicals
may not be specifically regulated, but proper disposal is appropriate due to Clean Water Act
concerns or simply a best practices approach. The following guidelines assist in maintaining
regulatory compliance.
Chemicals potentially subject to these regulations consist of waste products as well as unused
chemicals that no longer have any useful or economic value. More specifically, this includes any
chemical that is off spec, expired, contaminated through use, no longer needed, unstable or whose
identity is unknown. Since employees are not expected to characterize chemicals in their work
area to determine if it is a regulated chemical, all chemicals to be disposed of should be done so
through the Environmental Compliance Program (ECP) of the Environmental Health and Safety
Office (EHSO).
Disposal of chemicals in the sanitary sewer or by mixing with regular trash is not acceptable.
Evaporation of volatile wastes is also unacceptable. Once a chemical or chemical waste is
determined to be no longer useful, it is then characterized by the ECP to determine whether it is a
regulated hazardous waste. However, to ensure wastes are not improperly disposed of, defining
characteristics and specific lists of regulated chemicals will be explained here. A chemical’s
MSDS sheet is a good source for finding these characteristics. Criteria for making hazardous waste
determinations include:
CHARACTERISTICS OF A HAZARDOUS WASTE
Flammability-Flash point <140F (60C) (e.g. alcohols, paints, solvents); capable of starting a
fire spontaneously, or through friction or contact with water (pyrophoric) (e.g.
trimethylaluminum, magnesium powder); ignitable compressed gas (e.g. acetylene);
oxidizer (e.g. oxygen, silver nitrate)
Corrosivity-Liquid with pH <2 or >12.5 (e.g. acids or bases); corrodes steel at 6.35 mm/yr (e.g.
hydroxides)
Reactivity-Undergoes a violent change without detonation (e.g. picric acid); reacts violently,
forms potentially explosive mixtures or generates toxic gas when contacted with water
(e.g. sodium metal); contains reactive sulfide or cyanide; readily capable of detonation (e.g.
azides)
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THEATER STUDIES CHEMICAL DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
Toxic characteristic-Contains any of the following list, including mixtures
Arsenic
Barium
Benzene
Cadmium
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlordane
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
Chromium
o-Cresol
m-Cresol
p-Cresol
2,4-D
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
Endrin
Heptachlor (and its epoxide)
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hexachloroethane
Lead
Lindane
Mercury
Methoxychlor
Methyl ethyl ketone
Nitrobenzene
Pentrachlorophenol
Pyridine
Selenium
Silver
Tetrachloroethylene
Toxaphene
Trichloroethylene
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Vinyl chloride
EPA LISTED REGULATED WASTE
F-Lists (Non-specific sources)-These lists apply only to spent materials and contain mostly
solvents and wastes from production based processes. These also apply to spill cleanup
debris. A brief summary of those listed chemicals follows.
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlorinated fluorocarbons
Chlorobenzene
ortho-Dichlorobenzene
Methylene chloride
Tetrachloroethylene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Trichlorofluoromethane
1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane
Acetone
Benzene
n-Butyl alcohol
Carbon disulfide
Cresols and cresylic acid
Cyclohexanone
2-Ethoxyethanol
Ethyl acetate
Ethyl benzene
Ethyl ether
Isobutanol
Methanol
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Nitrobenzene
2-Nitropropane
Pyridine
Toluene
Xylene
K-Lists (Process specific sources)-These will not be listed here because most are related to
chemical and veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing, wastewater treatment, and other
production related processes.
P & U-Lists (Acutely hazardous and toxic unused chemicals)-These include off-spec species,
container residues and contaminated spill debris thereof. These chemicals are not usually
found in Art and Theater Departments.
CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Handling Guidelines
Segregation of Chemicals - Chemical wastes from each specific process should be stored
separately unless approval is received from the Environmental Compliance Program Office
(ECP) (404-727-5922). At a minimum, the following wastes should be stored separately:
Acids, Bases, Amines, Cyanides, Metals, Oxidizers, Solvents, Sulfides, Water Reactives
and Extremely Toxic compounds.
Containers and Packaging-Wastes must be stored in containers made of a compatible
material. For example, strong acids may not be stored in plastic bottles, and hydrofluoric
acid may not be stored in glass bottles. ECP is usually not able to provide containers for
chemical storage, nor are waste containers returned unless specifically instructed to do so.
Empty containers in which the product was originally received are best reused as waste
containers. ECP can provide consultation should you wish to purchase special waste
containers.
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THEATER STUDIES CHEMICAL DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
All waste containers must have tightly fitting caps and be kept closed at all times except
when waste is actually being added. Funnels left in the bottle mouth are not acceptable.
Do not overfill liquid containers. To minimize spillage, allow enough air space for
expansion.
Labeling- All waste containers must be labeled as to their contents and approximate
concentrations. When reusing empty bottles, the original label must be completely
defaced. Unused chemicals in their original containers do not need additional labeling.
ECP issued waste labels can be found under the “Waste" tab at www.ehso.emory.edu.
These labels are formatted for use with Avery #5164 labels or Maco ML-0600 labels.
Inventory Sheet-An inventory sheet must accompany all surplus and waste chemicals received
(See “Chemical Disposal Inventory Form” at www.ehso.emory.edu). Quantities listed
should be container size - not the amount in the container. For bagged or boxed wastes
such as contaminated debris, approximate volumes of the bag or box should be given. For
wastes containing mixtures of chemicals, an approximate or range of concentrations should
be listed for each chemical, including water.
Waste Pickups- Contact Tracey Fountain from Environmental Compliance (727-7091) or
[email protected] to schedule a pickup. Chemicals should not be transported in
personal vehicles.
Waste Minimization-Waste disposal is a costly and environmentally sensitive issue. Since it is
illegal to treat or otherwise reduce hazardous waste after it’s been generated, it is Emory
policy to minimize as much hazardous waste generation as possible.
Possible methods of waste minimization include substituting non-hazardous chemicals for
those with regulatory implications or for those of increased toxicity. See each specific
waste stream for possible substitutions. Purchasing Control is another method to reduce
waste. Purchase only those amounts of product necessary and donate unused products to
another user. Students should always take leftover materials with them after their
coursework is complete.
SPECIFIC WASTE GUIDELINES
Following are the most common wastes generated at Theater Studies. Please contact EHSO at 7275922 if you are unsure how to dispose of something. Emory’s chemical Waste Disposal Program is
not for public use.
Paints and Paint-Related Materials-Dispose of all paints, stains, glazes, primers, sealers,
epoxies, paint thinners, etc. as described under Chemical Waste Disposal Program. Only
washes from water based paint may go down the drain. Empty paint containers may go in
the regular trash if they are completely empty and dry and did not contain any heavy metals
(i.e. cadmium yellow). Oil based paints may not be left open to solidify but latex paints
can. See “Aerosols” below, for information on disposal of spray paint cans. To reduce
paint waste, try to use only water based or powder coat paints whenever possible. Storing
paint properly will increase its useful life. If you have leftover paint, donate it to another
user rather than disposing of it. Students must take any unused, unwanted paint they have
purchased with them at the conclusion of their coursework.
Solvents-Alcohols, thinners, and turpentine are flammable and must be disposed of as chemical
waste and should never be poured down the drain. These items may be mixed in the same
waste container.
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THEATER STUDIES CHEMICAL DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
Adhesives-Adhesives, epoxies, cements and glues often contain flammable components and
must be disposed of as chemical waste. Hardened adhesives can be disposed of in the
regular trash if they do not contain any of the constituents listed under Regulated
Hazardous Waste.
Aerosol cans-Aerosol cans present a unique hazard in that the pressurization of the container is
oftentimes more dangerous that the compound within. Therefore, all aerosol cans, whether
full or empty, must be handled as chemical waste. To reduce aerosol waste, use “open”
cans completely before starting a new can. To prevent clogs, spray the can upside down
after each use and use the propellant to clean the nozzle.
Contaminated Rags and Spill Cleanup Debris-Rags and other materials used to absorb liquids
may be hazardous waste depending on what material was absorbed. If the chemical
contaminant meets any of the above definitions or is listed under Regulated Hazardous
Waste, the absorbent must be disposed of as chemical waste.
Oily Rags-Rags contaminated with oil should be collected as chemical waste. Rags
contaminated with Linseed oil must be collected in a container that can be securely closed
because they can self ignite if left to dry out.
Oils-Oil and lubricants, including vegetable oil, must be handled as chemical waste. All
containers of waste oil must be labeled “Used Oil”. Make special note of older oils found
as these may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Do not mix these with other oils.
Linseed Oil-Linseed oil is very flammable and can be collected with other solvents listed
above.
Cleaning Products- Cleaning products should be used up completely whenever possible.
Many cleaning products can be corrosive or flammable in their undiluted state and must be
disposed of as chemical waste. See above for disposal of aerosol cans.
Compressed Gas-Cylinders must be returned to the supplier from which they were obtained.
Only refillable cylinders should be purchased. If a cylinder cannot be returned to the
supplier, contact the Environmental Compliance Program Office (727-5922) to determine
the appropriate method of disposal.
Unknowns-If unable to identify an unlabeled or unknown compound, it should be disposed of
immediately as chemical waste. The item must still be listed on the Chemical Inventory
Form.
Empty Containers-Completely empty and dry chemical containers may be disposed of in the
regular trash as long as they didn’t contain a heavy metal (cadmium yellow). Plastics 1-6
may rinsed out and be recycled through Emory Recycles.
Mercury- Metallic mercury is most commonly found in thermometers, thermostats, and blood
pressure gauges. As the potential for spills and contamination is great, mercury containing
articles should not be used in projects. Any such articles should be removed as chemical
waste.
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THEATER STUDIES CHEMICAL DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
Bulbs and Lamps-Certain types of lamps or bulbs contain mercury or other metals under high
pressure and are a regulated waste when spent and must be disposed of as chemical waste.
Care must be taken not to break these types of lamps. These include, but are not limited to,
fluorescent and ultraviolet (UV) lamps, and projector lamps.
Anyone handling spent lamps must be trained in these procedures.
Lamps must be packaged into a box that is kept closed at all times except when
adding lamps.
Label the box with “Used Lamps” and the date the first lamp was removed from
service.
Do not tape or bind lamps together.
If you only occasionally change lamps, you may store them temporarily as long as
the containers are labeled, in good condition, and stored in a secured, covered area
off the ground.
Store lamps only until a box is completely filled or for multiple boxes, no longer
than a week.
Unintentionally broken lamps must be cleaned up immediately and placed in a
thick plastic bag inside a box labeled as “Used Lamps” with the date the lamp was
removed from service or broken, whichever is earliest. Gently sweep the glass so
as to not create dust when cleaning up broken pieces.
Used lamps must be disposed of within 6 months from the date on the box.
Batteries-Batteries should be returned to the supplier for recycling if possible. Otherwise, all
batteries except standard dry cell alkaline or zinc air batteries must be disposed of through
the Environmental Compliance Program as chemical waste. This includes, but is not
limited to, lead acid, silver oxide, lithium ion (Li), lithium hydroxide (LiH), mercury (Hg),
nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel hydride (NiH, NiMH) batteries.
Anyone handling used batteries must be trained in these procedures.
Cover terminal ends with non-conductive (i.e., electrical) tape.
Package batteries into a box and label with “Used Batteries” and the date the first
battery was removed from service. Larger lead acid batteries, similar to the size
found in vehicles, do not need to be boxed.
Leaking batteries must be packaged in Department of Transportation (DOT)
approved plastic pails (contact ECP, 727-5922, immediately for pick up).
Batteries being collected in quantities greater than ten must be segregated by type,
boxed up (preferably in their original packaging), and with the type of battery
written on the box.
If you only occasionally replace batteries, you may store them temporarily at your
building as long as the containers are labeled, in good condition, and stored in a
secured, covered area off the ground.
Store batteries only until a box is completely filled or for multiple boxes, no longer
than a week.
Used batteries must be disposed of within 6 months from the date on the box.
Equipment-Computers, monitors, TVs and other electronics contain heavy metals and must be
sent for recycling through Campus Services (727-7463).
Asbestos-Asbestos can potentially be found in older building materials such as floor and
ceiling tiles, and countertops, as well as equipment like tong holders or high temperature
gloves. Only trained personnel should conduct renovation of or around asbestos.
Please use caution when selecting these types of materials for projects. If you have a
particular concern about the possibility of asbestos or wish to dispose of equipment that
may have asbestos in it, please contact the Industrial Hygiene/General Safety Program
(727-5922).
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